“Regardless of what school you go to, college is a huge expense,” Neary says. “More and more in recent years we are seeing a large number of private colleges, especially, in the $50,000-a-year range. Even going to state schools is certainly expensive.”

Since it was established in 1962, the foundation has awarded 5,444 scholarships totaling nearly $2.6 million.

Last year, 150 scholarships were given with a combined value of $106,500.

Amounts vary with a minimum award of $500. Last year the highest award was $1,500.

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and merit as exhibited by academic performance, community service, part-time employment and extra-curricular activities.

Students can apply up to four times and, thus, receive help for all four years of college.

“We want to help as many students as possible within the limits of our financial resources,” Neary said.

Citizens Scholarship Foundation of Westfield offers two types of scholarships: endowment and memorial. There are 60 endowment scholarships, each of which requires an initial donation of at least $10,000. Funds are invested, and annual interest is awarded as a scholarship with the minimum award set at $500 regardless of interest rates.

A new endowment scholarship honors the late Jose Torres, a police officer who was killed in 2012 while working a traffic detail on a construction site. This scholarship is designated specifically for a student who shows kindness to others.

There are 31 memorial scholarships for which the money donated is awarded within the same 12-month period. A new one of these scholarships is in memory of Stanley Park's beloved Muscovy duck named Ozzie, who was killed at the park. Neary said the Ozzie Scholarship is the first made in memory of an animal through the foundation.

In addition to income generated by donations for the endowment and memorial scholarships, funds for Citizens Scholarship Foundation of Westfield are generated by an annual mail campaign, can drives, a raffle, a paper-shredding fund-raiser and donation boxes.

HOW TO HELP

Here are the ways you can donate to the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Westfield:Mail a check: CSF of Westfield, P.O. Box 382, Westfield MA 01086 (Specify if you are donating to an existing scholarship)Create a permanent scholarship: Established with a donation of $10,000 or more and named by donorCreate a memorial scholarship: One-time scholarship established with a donation of $500, also named by donor For info: Contact William Harmon at (413) 562-0805

“We are very proud to be in Westfield for more than 50 years, serving the education needs of our students” Neary said. “Everyone on our (17-member) board is a volunteer, and we all work tremendously hard all year round” for the benefit of Citizens Scholarship Foundation of Westfield.

Many board members – like Neary – have children who received scholarships from the foundation and want to “give back” by serving on the board, she said. Volunteers are always welcome.

“We are very concerned about the students of Westfield and grateful for what has been done for our children,” Neary said. “Our intent is helping students and in doing so help families in our community as well.”

This year’s Citizens Scholarship Foundation of Westfield awards night will take place on May 22, at 7 p.m. at South Middle School. It is free and open to the public.